President Thies takes lead of the National Caucus of State Bar Associations

ISBA President John E. Thies debates before the ABA House of Delegates on Aug. 6. Photo credit: American Bar Association, Communications and Media Relations

ISBA President John E. Thies was elevated to the position of President of the National Caucus of State Bar Associations at the recent ABA Annual Meeting in Chicago. The purpose of the caucus is to coordinate the efforts of state bar associations across the country in considering and proposing matters before the American Bar Association House of Delegates.

“State bar associations – including the ISBA – have a unique interest in many matters before the ABA House and within the ABA generally," Thies said after being named President-elect of the Caucus in 2011. "These associations are most closely connected to the practicing bar, and the administration of justice at the core level. Accordingly, it is important that state bars have a strong voice within the ABA. In leading the Caucus, I plan to work with other state bar leaders to make sure that this is always the case.”

The National Caucus has been an important resource for the ISBA in connection with the Association’s recent efforts to maintain the ABA’s current position against non-lawyer ownership and fee-splitting with non-lawyers. “The Caucus met in advance of the ABA’s August House of Delegates meeting, and was an important sounding board for us as we decided how to frame this debate in the House.”